howell



2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

@No Model.)

-B. G. HOWELL.

HYDRAULIC DREDGING MACHINE.

Patented Oct. 18, 1887 WT/YESSES N. PETER$ PholQLiilmgnphor. Washington.n.c.

(No Model.) 2 Sheets8heet 2.

B. o. HOWELL.

HYDRAULIC DREDGING MACHINE.

No. 371,686. Patented Oct. 18, 1887.

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Nrrn STATES ATENT OFFICE.

BYRON C. HOW'ELL, OF NE? YORK, N. Y.

HYDRAULIC DRE-DGlNG-MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 371,686, dated. October18, 1887.

Application filed January 12, 1887. Serial No. 224,147. (No model.)

2'0 ail who-In it may concern:

Be it known that I, BYRON C. HOWELL, of the city, county, and State ofNew York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in HydraulicDredgingMaohines, of which the following is a full, clear, and exactdescription, reference beinghad to the accompanying drawings, making apart of this specification.

The invention consistsin combining with the lower end ofa suction-pipeconnected with any suitable dredging-pump a self-adjusting drag, 13,provided with an adjustable WkltBl-V2L1V6,G, and chamber 0, whichdelivers the water with atmospheric pressure upon or against thematerial to be removed in the dredging process, disturbing and dilutingsaid material with the water-jet caused by said pressure to such anextent as will cause it to be held in such a state of solution as willenable the pump to take it up and pass it through the delivery-pipes tothe point desired most easily and speedily.

The second part ofmy invention consists in providing the lower end ofthe suction-pipeA with a universal or ball joint of any approved designor make, mounted on wheels E E, to ease the draft on the suction-pipe Aand its connection with the pump and dredge-boat,as well as to enablethe drag B to accommodate itself to thelateral or steering movements ofthe dredge-boat when veered from its true course on the dredge-cut bytidal cross-currents or quartering winds, or to uneven surfaces to beoperated upon, and'to allow itself to sink into the space caused by thematerial it has removed, so that there shall be no cessation of thedredging process for want of material to be operated upon, and, finally,to allow the said drag B to remain on or near the surface to be dredgedwhen the dredge-boat rises on the swells of a rough sea so much that thehoisting and lowering chains F F raise the wheels E E from the materialto be dredged.

These inventions relate more particularly to a moving hydraulicdredging-boat operating upon sand or gravel bars at the entrance toocean harbors orin rivers orotherinland navigable waters; but they maybe applied to any hydraulic dredge engaged in the process of deepeningnavigable water-ways.

In the drawings, Figure l is a longitudinal elevation in perspective,showing the drag B connected with the ball or universal joint D,

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of the same. Fig. 4 is a planshowing a bottom view of the drag B,with a portion of the plate 0removed to show the outside form or lines of the drag. Fig. 5 is a viewshowing a transverse section through the'center of the ball or universaljoint D as mounted on the wheels E E by means of the axle e e andsecured thereto by the hoop e e.

The wheels E E and ball or universal joint D and flanges to same Iconstruct of cast-iron of suitable dimensions and form, substantially asshown on the drawings. and the shell of the drag B, the guide-plate G,water-chamber O, and adjustable valve G, I construct of boilerplate, ofiron or steel, of suitable thickness and strength and in the formsubstantially as shown in the drawings; but this may be constructedofcast-iron or any other suitable material and varied in form, ifdesired or circumstances require it. The remaining pieces or parts Iconstruct by forging iron or steel of suitable size and strength, and inthe forms, shapes, and dimensions required and substantially as shown onthe drawings.

Across the suction entrance or mouth of the drag B, Figs. 8 and 4, Iplace bars of iron or steel, 00 c, of the form and fastened to theoutside shell of the drag B and water-chamber O, in the manner shown onthe drawings, and these serve the purpose of runners to support the dragB and as guards to prevent rocks or other insoluble material too largeto pass through the suction-pipe, pump, or deliverypipe from passinginto the drag, and thereby obstructing the free passage of the dredgedspoils.

The valve G is constructed so as to close itself automatically by thepivots (Z d, Figs. 2 and 4, being secured to it forward of a true centerof the valve, so that when the opening line or rod 9 9, Figs. land 3, isslack the force of the current of water passing into the cham her 0 willcause it to close itself.

On the under side of the drag B, I secure a guide-plate, C, Figs. 3 and4, of a width equal to and of the shape of said drag, which serves thedouble purpose of confining and giving direction to the suction-current,so that it will enter the mouth of the drag B with a force sufficient totake up dredged spoils with it, as

,well as to prevent the hooked portion of the drag B from becomingfouled with partiallysanded wrecks or other submerged obstructions of acharacter likely to damage or break the suction outfit.

Thewhole apparatus of suction-pipe and.

drag I provide with hoisting and lowering lines or chains, safety or guylines, or chains of suitable size and strength, of any known system ordevice.

In operating these inventions or appliances, by a reference to thedrawings, Figs. 1, 3, and 4, it may be seen that the entrance or mouthof the drag is liable to become choked by an times accessible to thesurrounding water and free from liability of obstruction or choking bydredging spoils, and a reliable and effieient source of relief in casethe forward entrance to said drag B becomes choked by reason of aninflow of an excess of dredged spoils. On

the other hand, should the headway of the dredge-boat be retarded fromany cause, so that the suction force of the dredging-pump will take upthe material to be dredged more rapidly than the speed or motion of thedredgeboat would bring it against the said material at an ordinary depthof cut, the depth of cut and inflow of dredged spoils can be regulatedbythe operator at the pump by opening or clos ing of the valve G and thecontributory action of the universal or ball joint D, as hereinbeforedescribed.

I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent--- 7 1.The combination of the dragB and waterchamber 0 with'an adjustablevalve, G, and operating line or rod 9' g',attached to the rear of thedrag B, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

2. The combination of a self-adj usting drag, B, having thewater-chamber 0, adjustable valve G, and operating line or rod 9 g, witha suction-pipe, to which it is attached by a universal or ball joint, D,mounted on wheels E E, substantially as shown on the drawings and setforth in the specification.

3. The combination of the scraper and suction-pipe with the universal orball joint D at the lower end of the suction-pipe A, and the wheels E E,bow-axle, and hoop e, for carryingand holding the same, substantially asand for the purpose set forth.

BYRON O. HOWELL.

Witnesses.

A. A. BIRNEY, W. WILLOUGHBY.

